November's Birthstone is Citrine

November’s modern birthstone is a variety of quartz called Citrine. It can range in color from yellow to dark amber. Originally worn as a talisman against evil thoughts, Citrine symbolizes hope and strength. Happy Birthday, November Babies!

October Birthstone Spotlight

October’s birthstones are OPAL and PINK TOURMALINE!

Found in Australia, Mexico and the U.S., opals symbolize hope, innocence, and purity. This symbolism influenced the belief that opals aided children, encouraged friendships and feelings, and supported those in theater and amusement professions. Opals have been used as a talisman against evil spirits and one medieval belief said they could render a wearer invisible when needed.

Opals come in two varieties; white opal has a light body color with flashes of many colors and black opal has a dark body with flashes of red, pink, and bright green.

Opal is a fragile gemstone and care should be taken to protect it against scratches and hard blows. Avoid using household cleaners and extreme temperature changes. Clean only with a soft cloth and never use an ultrasonic machine or jewelry cleaner.

An alternate, but accepted, birthstone for October is pink tourmaline. It has the widest range of colors of any gemstone. Tourmaline can be found in reds, greens, blues, and all sorts of combinations of those colors.

Tourmaline is believed to be a healing stone and when worn as an amulet, it will bring you friends and lovers.

To clean your tourmaline, use lukewarm soapy water and a small bristle brush. Do not use a home ultrasonic machine. Be sure to remove your tourmaline jewelry before engaging in housework, gardening, or sports to protect it against sharp blows and scratches. 

September Birthstone Spotlight

September’s birthstone is SAPPHIRE! 

Ancient Persians believed the Earth rested on an enormous blue sapphire, and its reflection caused the blueness of the sky. Sorcerers used sapphires to interpret oracles and foretell the future. For centuries, sapphires have been seen as a symbol of truth, a talisman of protection and guardians of love.

As well as being the birthstone for September, sapphires are also the traditional gift for couples celebrating fifth and forty-fifth anniversaries.

Sapphire is one of two varieties of corundum and can be found in any color except red. The red variety is a ruby. Fancy colored sapphires include pink, green, orange and golden yellow.

  

Although sapphires are one of the most durable gemstones, they should be protected against hard blows and scratches. With proper care, your sapphire jewelry can be an heirloom for generations. 

Stop in to see our selection of sapphire jewelry!

August Birthstone Spotlight

August's birthstone is PERIDOT!

The history of peridot [per-i-doh] dates back to the Ancient Egyptians, who called it “the gem of the sun.” It is now believed that Cleopatra wore peridot gems, having mistaken them for emeralds. The color range for peridot includes bright green, yellowish-green, and olive hues.

After the Crusades, soldiers brought peridot back as spoils of war. Once in Europe, the gems were set in a variety of religious objects.

Traditionally found in Egypt and Burma, more recent sources include the U.S. (mostly Arizona and Hawaii), China, Brazil, Pakistan, Australia, and Norway. Peridot can even be found in some meteorites!

Peridot is said to protect from nightmares, fear, and the evil eye. This protection made peridot a favorite among pirates. A healing stone, it aids in reducing stress and digestive problems. Peridot supposedly stimulates the mind, opens the door for opportunity, and accelerates personal growth. It also is known to attract love and calm anger, appropriate for the traditional stone for the 16^th wedding anniversary.

Avoid sharp blows and scratches, household chemicals, as well as drastic temperature changes. Remove your peridot jewelry before housework, gardening, or active sports. Do not use an ultrasonic cleaner on peridot. 

July Birthstone Spotlight

July’s birthstone is RUBY!

Known as “Lord of the Gems,” rubies are steeped in lore and history. The name ruby is derived from “ruber,” the Latin word for red. Myth says rubies were created upon their release from a dragon’s magical egg.

Said to have protective powers, rubies have adorned everything from thrones around the world to Dorothy’s iconic slippers. The ruby has long been used as an amulet for passion and healing due to the belief that it helped its owner avoid all kinds of misfortune. To intensify the Ruby’s powers, set in jewelry and wear on your left side.

Ruby’s lore for passion is aptly applied as the accepted gemstone for the15th and 40^th anniversaries. 

Like its sister the sapphire, the ruby is a variety of corundum. These gems rate a 9 on the Mohs scale, placing them as the second hardest known material, just behind diamonds.

As always, avoid sharp blows and scratches to protect your ruby jewelry. Stop in to see our ruby selection or bring your ruby jewelry by for an inspection and cleaning. 

April Birthstone Spotlight

APRIL’S BIRTHSTONE IS DIAMOND

Few gemstones can match the magic and allure of a diamond. Cherished for more than 6,000 years, diamonds were thought to be pieces of the stars that had fallen to Earth.

First mined in India, diamonds made their way to the Mediterranean by 100 B.C. where they picked up their name from the Greek word “adamas,” which means unbreakable or invincible. In 1870, rich diamond deposits were discovered in South Africa, setting the diamond industry on its current path.

Not just a pretty rock, diamonds are the hardest known substance on Earth. Any diamonds not of gemstone quality become tool parts for industrial applications such as cutting and grinding. Diamond-tipped drill bits and saws are commonly found in factories around the world.

Besides being April’s birthstone, diamonds are known as the gem for romance and have been used in engagement rings since the Middle Ages. Diamonds were believed to uphold harmony between husband and wife. If worn on the left hand, diamonds were thought to ward off evil and attract good fortune. With this bit of lore, it’s no wonder that the diamond has been appointed the traditional stone for a couple’s 75^th wedding anniversary.

History is filled with famous diamonds. The largest diamond ever found was the Cullinan, weighing in at an astounding 3,106 carats! This stone was broken up into many smaller pieces including the Great Star of Africa, a 530 carat diamond set into the Royal Scepter which is part of the Crown Jewels collection. Many have heard of the Hope Diamond and its infamous curse; this stone can be viewed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. With the recent auctions of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry collection, the 69.42 carat Taylor-Burton diamond has received much press lately. 

One of the lesser known diamonds has the most mystery and intrigue surrounding it. The Great Mogul Diamond was discovered in India around 1650 and weighed 787.5 carats. Presented to the emperor and later taken as spoils of war, in 1747 its owner was assassinated and The Great Mogul was stolen. No one has seen it since. Many speculate that this legendary diamond has been re-cut into other stones to hide its location and identity, but no one knows for sure. Maybe one day it will show up on Antiques Roadshow! To learn more about famous diamonds, click HERE.

Although diamonds are the hardest substance, they can still break. Take care to protect your stones from sharp blows; this will help guard against chips and cracks. When set in a ring, chances are your mounting will wear down before your stone will. Have your jeweler check for worn and broken prongs to avoid losing your diamond. Make sure you insure your diamond jewelry against the event of theft, loss, or damage.